Chapter 52: Snow Fox Tragedy, Count Frost Bear

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Snow Fox Tragedy, Count Frost Bear

On the surface, there was nothing wrong with what Baron Giant Monster said. The Kalin Kingdom, forced onto the defensive, truly had to choose between defending the Tulip Domain and Oak Province.

But Roy was still pessimistic about the Laine Kingdom’s plan to divide its forces.

It came back to the same point: the Kalin Kingdom was no weaker than the Laine Kingdom.

Even if the Kalin Kingdom’s spies failed to uncover intelligence that the Laine Kingdom was about to declare war, Kalin was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

The Laine Kingdom might be able to gain an advantage in the early stages of the war.

But once the Kalin Kingdom had also fully mobilized for war, the Laine Kingdom might not be able to hold onto its initial advantage.

’Their ambition is too great!’

If the Laine Kingdom only wanted to reclaim the Tulip Domain, Roy would have been more optimistic about their chances.

After all, the Laine Kingdom had the advantages of favorable terrain and the support of its people.

The problem now, however, was that the Laine Kingdom wanted both the Tulip Domain and Oak Province.

After gaining an early advantage, the Laine Kingdom certainly wouldn’t stop there. They would try to seize the other territory as well.

This would only work if the Laine Kingdom could secure an absolute advantage before the Kalin Kingdom completed its war mobilization.

Otherwise, a war that could have been over in a few months would inevitably devolve into a protracted conflict.

「In the time that followed.」

Roy and Baron Giant Monster briefly discussed the arrangements for their departure to the Royal Capital.

Afterward, the two of them went down to the inn’s main hall and had lunch together.

After finishing lunch, Roy returned to his room.

He rested in his room for about ten minutes, then entered the Chaos Square to cultivate his Mammoth Breathing Technique.

Now that he had mastered the basics of the three Secret Techniques—Dragon’s Battle Roar, Frost Slash, and Blood Mark—he adjusted his cultivation schedule once again.

He reallocated some of the time he usually spent on his Breathing Technique and Meditation Technique to focus on practicing the Secret Techniques.

Although this would slow his progress in advancing his Breathing and Meditation Techniques, he wasn’t in a hurry to reach a higher Level.

He was already one of the top Bronze Great Knights.

His strength was not to be underestimated, not just in the Laine Kingdom, but across the entire continent.

He didn’t need to worry about any enemies aside from Silver and Golden Great Knights, and the Wizards who, while real, were rarely ever seen.

Time flew.

Night fell.

After spending the afternoon in the Chaos Square cultivating his Breathing Technique and Secret Techniques, Roy returned to his room at the inn. He summoned an attendant and asked them to prepare hot water for a bath.

Before long, the bathtub in the washroom was filled with perfectly heated water.

Having not bathed in days, he didn’t hesitate for a moment. He quickly stripped off his clothes and sank into the tub.

He soaked comfortably in the hot water for half an hour, washing himself clean. Afterward, he retrieved a fresh set of Hunter’s Clothing from the Chaos Square and put them on.

Dressed in his hunter’s garb, he decided against putting his armor back on, leaving it in the bedroom.

Just as he was about to head down to the main hall for dinner, a knock sounded at his door.

When he opened the door, he found Allen standing there with an unfamiliar woman clad in exquisite Silver-White Armor.

She was a beautiful woman whose face and figure were no less stunning than Erin’s.

She had large, golden waves in her hair, emerald eyes, red lips, and skin as white as snow. Her features were striking, and her tall figure was perfectly proportioned.

What was most striking about her, however, was her heroic and valiant aura—the air of a woman who was every bit the equal of a man.

Before Roy could speak, Allen said, "Let me introduce you. This is Baron Snow Fox, Mirya Elvin."

Roy had never met Mirya, but he was quite familiar with the Elvin Clan.

The Elvin Clan was another Baron Clan established by the King. Their domain was in Gel County, not far from the Adams Clan’s Giant Monster Domain. Their ancestral heirloom, the Snow Fox Breathing Technique, was an Ordinary Level Bloodline Breathing Technique.

Like the Adams Clan, the Elvin Clan had once been a large and prosperous family.

Six years ago, however, the Elvin Clan suffered a terrible tragedy.

On a dark and stormy night, a group of formidable Wandering Knights broke into Snow Fox Castle. They killed everyone on sight and frantically plundered the castle of its valuables.

Finally, the Wandering Knights set the castle ablaze before making off with their loot.

After that night, the Elvin Clan’s fortunes took a nosedive.

If Roy remembered correctly, the Elvin Clan, much like his own Wesley Clan, was now reduced to just two descendants.

One was Mirya, who inherited the title of Baron Snow Fox.

The other was her younger sister, Elena.

At the time, the near-annihilation of the Elvin Clan by a band of Wandering Knights had caused a sensation throughout Green Province.

To capture those Wandering Knights, the Count of Gel County, Count Frost Bear, personally led an investigation for some time.

In the end, however, he failed to apprehend the culprits.

According to rumors, the Wandering Knights who attacked Snow Fox Castle were actually Knights under Count Frost Bear’s command.

The reason, supposedly, was simple.

Before the attack on Snow Fox Castle, Mirya’s father, the Baron Snow Fox at the time, had unexpectedly acquired an extremely rare Three-headed Dog pup. Once fully grown, its strength would rival that of a Black Iron Great Knight.

Rumor had it that Count Frost Bear offered to buy the pup for 3,000 gold coins, but Mirya’s father flatly refused.

A few days later, the Wandering Knights appeared and orchestrated the so-called "Snow Fox Tragedy."

Roy didn’t know if any of this was true.

However, Count Frost Bear’s reputation had certainly taken a hit after the Snow Fox Tragedy.

Perhaps to salvage his reputation, or perhaps out of a sudden bout of charity, Count Frost Bear later sent men to help repair Snow Fox Castle and even gave some money to the Elvin Clan.

Not only that, but after Mirya inherited her title as Baron Snow Fox, the Count had publicly declared on more than one occasion that to be an enemy of the Elvin Clan was to be an enemy of his.

"Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Roy said slowly, sizing Mirya up.

"Likewise."

Mirya took the initiative, extending her right hand to shake his.

Although he didn’t know why Allen and Mirya had sought him out, Roy invited them into the sitting area.

He had just sat down when Allen spoke up. "Did you ever take that Copper Coin I gave you to the Red Salmon and Cherry Pie tavern to find Sandru?"

"I didn’t."

Roy replied quickly, shaking his head.

He had already met Sandru several times and even revealed his true identity to him, but he had never used the Copper Coin Allen gave him for their meetings.

"Why not? Don’t you trust me?"

Allen pressed.

"It’s not a matter of trust. I just haven’t had the time."

Roy replied.

’He wasn’t the least bit worried that Sandru would reveal his true identity to the other members of the Second Son Brotherhood.’

’Sandru was a smart man; he knew what to say and what to keep to himself.’

’Especially after being so easily defeated by him.’

’Besides, he had joined the Second Son Brotherhood under the identity of the Dark Night Knight.’

’Even if Sandru were to report to the higher-ups in the Second Son Brotherhood, he would only report that he had recruited the Dark Night Knight, not Roy Wesley.’

Allen fell silent for a few seconds after hearing his reply.

Then he continued, "Since you hadn’t advanced to High Tier Knight before, it wasn’t appropriate for me to tell you too much."

"That Copper Coin I gave you is the token for joining the Second Son Brotherhood."

"The Second Son Brotherhood is an extremely powerful organization. The minimum requirement for joining is to advance to High Tier Knight before the age of twenty-two."

"Mirya and I are both members of the Second Son Brotherhood."

"Also, in another month or two, we’ll be able to advance to Peak Knight."

"If you also want to go a step further and obtain the Exemplary Breathing Technique needed to advance to Great Knight, you can join the Second Son Brotherhood just like us."

"If you want to join, we can take you to meet the person in charge of the Second Son Brotherhood in Ice Wind City tonight."

Having said his piece, Allen looked at Roy with a serious expression.

...